As many as nine passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia for begging under the guise of Umrah were arrested at Multan Airport.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration in a statement revealed that the nine suspects including seven woman belong to different areas of Punjab, including Layyah, Bhakkar, Multan and Sargodha.

The DG FIA revealed that the accused has previously travel to Saudi Arabia, however, the passengers failed to provide the hotel bookings to the immigration officials.

The FIA officials after the initial investigation have been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Multan for further investigation, meanwhile, the officials further added that the passports of the arrested accused will also be blacklisted.

Last week, the Civil Aviation Officers Association of Pakistan (CAOP) requested Karachi airport authorities to reconsider recently imposed security restrictions, suggesting instead the use of advanced technology.

Following a deadly attack on a Chinese convoy that killed two Chinese nationals and left several others injured, the airport has strict security asking visitors to bring additional documents and blocking a road leading to the airport.

CAOP Chairman Zarin Gul Durrani acknowledged the need for security but expressed concern that these restrictions may unnecessarily inconvenience passengers and their families.